A Forgotten Roll of Film: Janis Joplin Live at the Springfield Municipal Auditorium

While Janis Joplin drew large crowds at well-known events such as the Monterey International Pop Music Festival, she also packed out lesser-known venues in places like Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1969 Joplin toured the East Coast of the United States and, among her well-remembered performances, was one in Springfield. Situated less than a mile from the banks of the Connecticut River, Springfield’s Municipal Auditorium was a humble comparison to New York’s Madison Square Garden, where she appeared the following night in an impromptu duet with Tina Turner. Yet, the twenty-seven-year-old Joplin entertained the Western Massachusetts crowd with her trademark sultry voice as she drank from a stein. On November 26, 1969, I was a 15-year-old, grade-ten high school student and a photographer on the school’s yearbook staff. I attended Joplin’s concert, and because of my interest in photography, I took along my 35-millimeter camera. I was allowed to shoot from directly in front of the stage and backstage after the concert, where I was invited to continue my photoshoot. I gave a copy of the prints to my then-girlfriend—Gail Skvirsky—as a present. After high school—with college and careers on the horizon—the two of us lost touch. Forty-two years later, we were back in communication. Gail had treasured the stack of old Janis concert prints. These photos were displayed in Gail’s home for many years, along with her extensive rock and roll collection. After seeing the quality of the images and the emotion they conveyed, Gail thought the photographs should be shared with the legion of Joplin fans and explored what was necessary to publish them. Over several years, we discussed publishing options. This photo album is the fruit of our labor. We hope the photos will become part of the more extensive record of Janis’s performances by highlighting her 1969 Thanksgiving eve concert at the little-known Springfield Municipal Auditorium.